Lua vs. JavaScript: The Silent Awkwardness of Lua Users

 

Introduction

Programming languages have always been the subject of heated debates, whether it's about syntax, performance, or usability. JavaScript, being one of the most widely used languages, often finds itself at the center of memes, criticism, and jokes from developers. But what about Lua? Lua users, as shown in the viral meme featuring the side-eye monkey puppet, often find themselves in an awkward situation when JavaScript is being mocked. But why is that the case?
 
This article explores the relationship between Lua and JavaScript, their similarities and differences, and why Lua users might feel uncomfortable when JavaScript is under attack. If you’re a developer or just someone interested in programming languages, this article will shed light on the often-overlooked world of Lua.
 
The Rise of JavaScript and Its Eternal Criticism
 
JavaScript is undoubtedly one of the most popular programming languages in the world. It powers the web, with nearly every website relying on it in some way. However, despite its dominance, JavaScript is also one of the most criticized languages. Developers frequently point out issues like its quirky type coercion, lack of strong typing (until TypeScript came along), and its asynchronous programming model that can lead to callback hell.
 
Common JavaScript criticisms include:
 
Dynamic Typing Woes: "5" + 5 results in "55" instead of 10.
 
Weird Truthy/Falsy Values: [] == false returns true, but [] === false returns false.
 
Callback Hell & Async Complexity: Before Promises and async/await, JavaScript's asynchronous handling was a nightmare.
 
Despite these flaws, JavaScript remains essential. Frontend frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue, as well as backend technologies like Node.js, make it indispensable in modern web development.
 
Lua: The Silent Sibling
 
Lua, on the other hand, is far less known outside of game development, embedded systems, and scripting applications. Created in 1993, Lua was designed to be lightweight, fast, and easily embeddable.
 
It’s often found in:

• Game Development: Used in Roblox, World of Warcraft, and Angry Birds.
• Embedded Systems: Utilized in networking devices and IoT applications.
• Scripting for Applications: Adobe Lightroom and some AI frameworks use Lua as a scripting language.

 
Lua is often praised for its simplicity, lightweight nature, and flexibility. However, it also has quirks that, while similar to JavaScript, often go unnoticed due to Lua’s smaller community.
 
Similarities Between Lua and JavaScript
 
At first glance, Lua and JavaScript appear to be quite different, but they share several characteristics that might explain why Lua users feel awkward when JavaScript is being criticized:
 
Prototype-Based Object Model
JavaScript and Lua both use prototype-based inheritance rather than class-based inheritance.
Objects in Lua are essentially tables, similar to JavaScript’s objects.
 
Dynamically Typed

• Both languages allow variables to hold values of any type without explicit type declarations.
• This makes development flexible but can lead to unexpected bugs.

 
Garbage Collection
 
Both have automatic garbage collection, meaning memory management is mostly handled for developers.
 
Interpreted and Lightweight
 
Lua and JavaScript run without a heavy compilation step, making them quick to deploy.
 
Lua is particularly known for being lightweight and embeddable, while JavaScript is lightweight in terms of execution in browsers.
 
Functions as First-Class Citizens
 
Functions in both languages can be stored in variables, passed as arguments, and returned from other functions.
 
Key Differences Between Lua and JavaScript
 
Despite their similarities, Lua and JavaScript have some major differences:
 
Usage and Ecosystem
JavaScript is dominant in web development.
Lua is primarily used in game scripting and embedded applications.
 
Syntax Differences
JavaScript uses {} for blocks; Lua uses do...end.
JavaScript has C-style syntax, while Lua is more minimalistic.
 
Concurrency Model
JavaScript is event-driven with an event loop.
Lua uses coroutines for concurrency, which offer more control over execution flow.
 
Standard Library and Built-in Features
JavaScript has a rich standard library, built-in JSON support, and extensive APIs for web interactions.
Lua has a minimal standard library but allows for easy extension.
 
Why Lua Users Feel Awkward When JavaScript is Mocked
Now that we understand the similarities and differences, why do Lua users feel uneasy when JavaScript is under attack? The answer lies in their shared quirks.
 
Lua Has Its Own Type Oddities
Just like JavaScript, Lua has type quirks, such as nil being its equivalent of null, and true/false behaving in unique ways.
Some Lua functions behave unexpectedly, much like JavaScript’s infamous coercion issues.
 
Prototype-Based Inheritance Is a Double-Edged Sword
JavaScript is often criticized for its prototype-based model, but Lua uses the same approach with metatables.
When JavaScript takes heat for prototype-related problems, Lua users recognize similar patterns in their language.
 
Dynamic Typing Leads to Similar Issues
Both languages suffer from runtime errors due to the lack of static typing.
Lua’s debugging tools are not as advanced as JavaScript’s (which at least has browser DevTools and TypeScript support).
 
Global Variables Can Be a Trap
JavaScript used to allow implicit global variables before let and const became standard.
Lua also defaults to global variables unless explicitly declared local.
Seeing JavaScript roasted for this reminds Lua users of their own battles.
Both Are Considered "Weird" By Some Developers
JavaScript’s design choices have been questioned since its inception.
Lua, due to its table-based structure and unique scoping rules, also confuses newcomers.
When JavaScript is mocked, Lua developers might think: "If only they knew how Lua works…"
 
Conclusion: Embracing the Awkwardness
 
The next time you see a meme making fun of JavaScript, remember: Lua users are quietly observing, unsure whether to laugh or cringe. The reality is that both languages have their quirks, strengths, and weaknesses. JavaScript dominates the web, while Lua shines in game development and embedded systems.
 
Rather than feeling awkward, Lua users can take pride in the fact that they use a powerful, lightweight scripting language that, while niche, has left its mark on gaming and technology. Meanwhile, JavaScript developers can continue refining the language through frameworks and extensions like TypeScript.
 
At the end of the day, every programming language has its flaws. What matters most is how effectively they solve problems. So whether you’re a JavaScript enthusiast, a Lua expert, or just someone laughing at programming memes, keep coding and enjoy the quirks!